Australian woman Justine Damond shot dead by US police in Minneapolis

Officers body cameras were not turned on, state officials reveal, as stepson says: My mum was shot for reasons I dont know

US police officers have shot dead an Australian woman who reportedly called 911 after hearing a noise near her home in Minneapolis.

Minnesotas public safety department said a woman was shot in Minneapolis after two officers responded to a callout about a possible assault on Saturday at 11.30pm local time. The police officers did not have their body cameras turned on.

The BCAs investigation is in its early stages. More information will be available once initial interviews with incident participants and any witnesses are complete The officers body cameras were not turned on at the time and the squad camera did not capture the incident. Investigators are attempting to determine whether any video of the incident exists.

The two officers involved are on paid administrative leave.

Her stepson said Damond, an Australian in her 40s, was passionate and his best friend.

Basically my mum was shot for reasons I dont know, he said in a video posted on Facebook on Monday morning.

I just know she heard a sound in the alley so then she called the police and the cops showed up and she was a very passionate woman, she probably thought something bad was happening and then next thing I know they take my best friends life.

The mayor of Minneapolis, Betsy Hodges, said she intended to find out why the officers body cameras were not turned on.

As mayor of our city, a wife, and a grandmother, I am heartsick and deeply disturbed by what occurred last night, she posted on Facebook.

Damond is believed to have been living in the US for at least the past three years. Her personal website says she trained as a veterinarian and practised yoga and meditation for 17 years.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it is providing consular support to the family of an Australian woman killed in the US.